GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – In a tense, physical Horizon League matchup, the Wright State men’s soccer team netted a game-winning goal in the 107th minute to edge Green Bay, 2-1, on Saturday evening in Dayton.

The win improved Wright State to 4-8-1 overall and 2-3 in the Horizon, while the Phoenix fell to 7-5-3 overall and 2-2-1 in the conference.

With only a combined two shots over the opening 12 minutes for the two teams, Green Bay’s Sam Krenzien (Wauwatosa, Wis.) turned up the offensive pressure with shots in the 19’ and 21’ that forced Wright State keeper Tyler Blackmer into save situations.

However, the Raiders netted the first goal of the match in the 30th minute as Austin Siefert headed home a feed from Jacob Stovall for a 1-0 advantage.

Green Bay found itself in a disadvantage in the closing minutes of the first half. Taurean Greenidge (Bridgetown, Barbados), who had received a yellow card in the 29th minute, received his second booking in the 41st minute resulting in a red card and ejection from the match, forcing the Phoenix to play a man down the remainder of the match.

Even with a man down in the final minutes the Phoenix remained close going into the break, owning a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks while trailing in shots, 8-6.

Green Bay picked up its offensive presence as the minutes ticked away in the second half, just missing an open net opportunity in the 63rd minute as WSU’s Tyler Blackmer was drawn off his line, but Conner Sendobry’s (Grover, Mo.) shot sailed just over the crossbar.

It was a set piece opportunity that brought the score even at 1-1 in the 77th minute. A tap from the corner and a cross in from the duo of Lawrence Talery (Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Audi Jepson (Green Bay, Wis.) found Krenzien in traffic, where he was able to send home the equalizer for his 10th goal of the season.

A close call for the Phoenix almost sealed the game in regulation, but Adam Nelson’s (Mequon, Wis.) shot with one minute remaining hit the crossbar.

Starting the overtime sessions, Green Bay keeper Dary DeWalt (Milwaukee, Wis.) came up with two big saves on early attempts by the Raiders to keep the score even. Krenzien put two shots on in the closing minutes but they sailed high as the game moved towards the second overtime.

It was another close call for the Phoenix in the second OT that nearly gave them the win. With a long throw-in in front of the Wright State Bench, Brandon Hall (O’Fallon, Mo.) strong-armed the ball to the middle of the box. Trey Benhart (Lakeville, Minn.) had an open net opportunity, but the WSU defense stepped up to make the team save.

A long attempt by Wright State in the 107th minute when Bry Rockwell-Ashton sent one past DeWalt from well outside the box to snap a four game skid for the Raiders.

For the match, Green Bay led in corner kicks, 7-2. Wright State owned a narrow 18-17 advantage in shots, but the Phoenix saw several quality opportunities with nine of its 17 shots coming on goal. Krenzien finished with a game-high seven shots, including three on goal. DeWalt played the entirety, making seven saves.

Green Bay returns to action next Saturday in its final regular season match at Santaga Stadium, welcoming Oakland for senior day, recognizing Krenzien and Sabastian Xiong (Cottage Grove, Minn.) in a pregame ceremony.

#

For the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.